Sheetsxsheet i



Uct. 3U, 1951 s. T. CARTER 2,573,132

PICKER CONTROL FOR LABELAPPLYING MACHINES Filed June 28, 1950 2SHEETSSHEET v1 ll 30, 1951 s. T. CARTER 2,573,182

PICKER CONTROL FOR LABEL-APPLYING MACHINES File d June 28, 1950 2SHEETS--SHEET 2 Patented Oct. 30, 1951 PICKER CONTROL FOR LABEL-APPLYINGMACHINES Sidney T. Carter, Worcester, Mass., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Geo. J. Meyer Manufacturing Company, Cudahy, Wis.,a corporation of Wisconsin Application June 28, 1950, Serial No. 170,763

9 Claims. (Cl. 216-54) This invention relates to labeling machines andin particular to a machine of the kind disclosed in my Patent 2,528,944for Picker Control for Label- Applying Machines, granted November 7,1950.

In that machine a two-part picker oscillated through a path ofpredetermined length and had applied thereto at one point in its pathduring each oscillation a coating of adhesive. Following application ofthe adhesive the picker moved into contact with a label at one extremityof its movement, which adhered to the freshly coated portion thereofwhereupon the picker moved to the opposite extremity of its path'ofmovement and came to rest with the label substantially parallel to butspaced from the surface of the article to which it'was to be applied andwith its adhesive coated surface facing the article. Thereupon atransfer member oscillatable from an inoperative position to alabel-applying position moved into contact with the uncoated side of thelabel supported by the picker, the picker parts moved laterally in theplane of the label now held by the transfer member and in doing sospread the adhesive on the coated surface and having cleared thetransfer member the latter moved on between the separated parts andbeyond them into label-applying position where it applied theadhesive-coated side of the label to the article. The separated pickerparts were then restored to their contiguous positions and the pickerreturned to the opposite end of its path of movement for another coatingof adhesive and another label. In that machine a detector was providedwhich was operable in the absence of an article to which a label was tobe applied to shorten the stroke of the picker at the label end of itsmovement so that it could not reach the labels and hence would not pickoff another label. This however, left the coated surface of the pickerexposed so that as the picker and transfer member went through theirnormal movements the transfer member came into contact with the adhesivecoated surface of the picker and acquired a coating of adhesive. Toprevent this, other means was provided which was effective in theabsence of an article, and hence a label on its surface, to lengthen themovement of the picker so that it moved beyond the extremelabel-applying position of the transfer and hence to prevent the latterfrom ever coming in contact with its coated surface. A disadvantage inthe foregoing structure however, became apparent when an adhesive wasused which was tacky due to the formation of strings drawn out betweenthe separated parts of the picker which were then applied to the surfaceof the transfer member as the picker parts passed by it in theirrearward return movement. The principal object of the present inventionis to provide an improved structure embodying substantially the sameoperating elements as the prior machine, constructed and arranged by arelocation of the parts and somewhat different timing of their movementto avoid the application of adhesive to the surface of the transfermember in the absence of a label on the picker. To this end and asillustrated herein the picker is relocated so that it has an extremeforward transfer position short of the article to be labeled, so thatthe transfer member moves into contact with the picker to take a labeltherefrom in normal operation when there is an article present forapplication of a label thereto, and then continues on beyond thetransfer position to apply the label to the article, but which islimited in its return stroke, by the absence of an article, to someintermediate position between the label-applying position and thetransfer position so that the picker idles harmlessly between thetransfer member and the label-picking position. The transfer member isheld fixed at this intermediate position so long as no article ispresent at a position to be moved to the label-applying position.Simultaneously other means shortens the stroke of the picker at thelabel-picking end of the stroke so that it never reaches label-receivingposition and hence does not accumulate a quantity of labels.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine partly in section showing thelabel transfer member held in its inoperative position in the absence ofan article to be labeled;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary portion of the machine in elevation to largerscale showing the feeleroperated mechanism for holding the labeltransfer member in its intermediate position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the transfer member operating cam; and

Fi 4 is a plan view of the machine as seen from the top showing thefeeler mechanism and omitting the picker and transfer member.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1, the machine comprises essentially asubstantially horizontal track l0 along which articles are movedsuccessively to a label-applying position SI for labeling, a labelpicker I2 arranged to oscillate between a source Id of labels L and alabel transfer position to supply labels to a transfer member l6 whichin turn is arranged to oscillate to and from labelapplying position andin its movement toward label-applying position to pass through thetransfer position, take a label from the picker and carry it forward tolabel-applying position for applicationto. thearticle which rests on thetrack II] at label-applyingposition. The foregoing: operatinginstrumentalities are mounted for movement in proper sequence betweenspaced up;-

rights 28-43 on a base platelfi held. at ansllitable height from thefloor by legs, not shown; The base plate also provides support for thetrack In and backing for the; article, restingthereon during applicationof the label to the article.

In the machine disclosed in my Patent 2,528,944 the picker and transferelement are: mountedstol swing in an arcuate path on substantiallyvertically spaced parallel shafts mounted betweenthe uprights close tothe label-applying position. As thus'arranged the picker at the forwardextremity of. its movement; under normalconditions extends nearlyvertically downward with respect. to its. axis of oscillation. The.transfer element makes. contact with the; picker atrthat placeinranearly vertical position: and. then moves forwardly to apply the labelto the article. As illustrated therein, when no article was present formove mentv to labelx-applyingposition, as thetrans'fer element movedtoward transfer position for'contact with the. picker the latter moved:beyond. its normal position and out-of reach of the: transfer element,this being effected by feeler controlled mechanism The difficulty withthataconstruc-tiorr was that the picker included two. parts whichseparated at. transfer position to: disengage the label and leave it onthe transfer element. Hence in. the absence of a. label the adhesive onthe picker parts, because of its tacky nature, stretched outbetween theparts in long strings and when: the picker moved rearward ly past thetransfer member these strings of adhesive clingingto the separated partsof the picker were laid across the face of the transfer element. Toavoidthis in the instant machine the parts are so arranged that thepicker never moves beyond the transfer position and the transfer elementis held in a position between label-applying position andthe extremityof forward movement of the picker so that it cannot return to itsinitial back position for the next forward movement, with respect to thepicker, until there is an article ready to be moved intolabel-applyingposition. As illustrated the picker shaft 2 4 isj'ournaledin a horizontal position between the uprights -26 rearwardlyof" the article support Ilisubstantially midway between it-and the labelsupply [-4 so that it swings approximately the same arcuate distance ateach side of the vertical through its axis. The picker l2 which, likethat shown in the pending application, has twoparts which are separableat transfer position to-permit the transfer element to take the labeltherefrom, is hung on a sleeve 28 spli'nedor otherwise fixed tothe shaft24 and from the sleeve there projects upwardly anarm 30 having arearwardly facing fiat 32. An arm 34 is also mounted on the shaft 24 butis free to turnthereon and has aforwardly facing fiat 35: normally heldin engagement with the flat 32 by a stiff spring 36- connected betweenthe arms so that the arms 35 and 34" together form a crank foreffectingoscillation of the picker [2. To this end the extremity of thearm 34 is connected to the upper end of a link 38 the lower end of whichis connected to the upper end of'a 4 shackle 40. The lower end of thelink 38 and the upper end of the shackle 40 each have a flat 42 whichare arranged to be held in abutting relation by a second spring 44extending between an arm 46 extending laterally from the link 38 and anarm '48 extending laterally from-the shackle 410i The spring 4:4 isstiff enough normally to hold the link 38 and the shackle 40 instraightline relation so that motion imparted to the shackle 40 willnormally impart oscillation through the arm 34 to the shaft 24 and henceoscillation to the picker 26. A driving rod 50 is connected at its;upper end to the lower end of the;.ShZ;Ck1$; dllyand extends downwardlybelow thebasenplate 3- where its lower end is connected to meansf'oreffecting substantially vertical reciprocation thereto, Normally,that is when the link 38 and shackle 40 are in straight-line relation,reciprocation of the rod 50 will cause oscillation of the picker 26 froma place of contact with the exposed label L in the. label magazine! 4 tothe label transfer position shown invdotted linesnear the: article.-support. A shortv arm :52: is formed integral with and projectsforwardly from the upper end of the link 38; and has connected to. itsfree end the upper end-of a. latch rod 54 which has at its lower end, alatch 56'. If uninterfered with, the latch 5.6 will reciprocatevertically with thev oscillation of the arm 3d. However if the latch. iseng ed so that the rod 54 cannot move upwardly, the: vertical upwardmovement of the rod 50, wil-lbreak the straight.- line. position betweenthe link 38: and shackle 40.- so thatthe shaft 24 will-beturneda lesseramount during counterclockwise rotation, hence the, picker [2. willstopshort. ofjthe; label; magazine at, the position shown in full:111185150 345 not to: have contactwith a label inrthezma azine. Ashortening of the angular rotation of; the'shaft 2-4 of. approximately15 is. sufficientl The; break in the drive through. arms '30. and 34prevents dama e to theparts in the; event the. picker is stopped atsome. point: short of. its forward movement by aforeignobjectinterjected in its path.

During each oscillation of the picker a coating of adhesive-willbeapplied to its surface by means of a glue applying roll 60; As'illustrated the roll BI is mounted at the lower-end of an arm 62, theupper end of which is pivotally supported on a horizontal shaft '64journaled between the uprights 20-2-'0- ahd there is means not shown foroscillating the arm 62 in timed relation with the oscillation ofthe'picker 26 so as tocause the roll 6| to have rolling contact with thelabel-receiving surfaceofthe picker, as the latter is returning tolabel-receiving position, thereby to apply a coating of adhesivethereto. The roll 60 is supplied with adhesive from a partiallysubmerged pick-up roll 66 journaled for rotation in a receptacle 68mounted on the base plate P8. The'details of the construction and ofoperation of the glue applying rollare described in my pendingapplication and there isno need for further explanation herein.

The transfer member l6 comprises anarm 10 bolted at its lower end toacasting l2 the latter being fixed to a horizontal shaft 14 journaled'at its ends between the uprights 20-49 close to the label-applyingposition forwardly of the shaft 24 so that when it is in a substantiallyvertical position it is situated beyond the extremity of the movement ofthe picker. The upper end of the arm 10 carries a transfer pad 62pivotally connected thereto at 84 and has connected thereto a flexiblevacuum hose 86, A limit arm 88' projects upwardly from the transferpadand has in: it an adjustable screw 90 for engagement with a fixedstop 92 to limit the forward movement of the arm 88 towards the articleto be labeled. Oscillation of the transfer member I6 is effected by anarm I6 (Fig. 4) fixed to an end ofthe shaft I4 which has on it a camfollower I20 arranged to have contact with the edge of a cam disc H6(Figs. 3 and 4) mounted on a horizontal cam shaft H8. The cam disc I I6is so shaped that it moves the transfer member from its inoperative:

position to transfer position and into contactwith the label at thatpoint, pauses while SllCfiOllIlS established at the face of the transferpad by way of a hose 88 so as to take thelabel from the picker when thepicker parts separate and then moves on to the article in label-applyingposition SI. Return movement of the transfer member is effected by aspring I22 connected to an arm 80 extending do'vnwardly'from the arm 16.l

In the normal operation of the machine as long as articles aresuccessively advanced to labelapplying position SI on the track oppositethe transfer member, the picker I2 oscillates from label-receivingposition to transfer position whereupon the transfer member moves fromits inoperative position to transfer position, takes a label from thepicker at thetransfer position, and continues to labelapplyin'g positionwhere it applies the label to the article.

As in the prior machine a feeler is provided for determining whetherthere will be an article at label-applying position when the transfermember moves to applying position and this feeler is arranged to controlthe movement of the picker so that the latter will not take a label fromthe label magazine in the absence of an article at the label-applyingposition. Since the picker, however, receives an application of adhesiveregardless of whether it takes a label from the label magazine or not,it is necessary to control the movement of the transfer member withreference to the picker so that there is no chance for the former toreceive adhesive on its labelcarrying surface. To this end, incontradiction to the prior machine in which the picker stroke wasincreased so that it moved ahead of the transfer element, the forwardextremity of the path of movement of the picker is not changed butinsteadthe transfer member I6 is prevented from returning to its initialback position for'another forward motion with respect'to the picker,that is, it is held between label applying position and transferposition while the picker oscillates idly so long as there is no articleat station S2. Referring to Fig. 4, the feeler 94'is arranged close tothe track on which the articles rest for-movement from a ready or feelerposition S2 toward label-applying position SI. The feeler 94 is fastion.As thus constructed, if there is an article tened to one end of anarm'98, the latter being fixed to one end of a vertical shaft98'journaled in a vertical bearing I00. The shaft 98 has an angle armIOI from which extends a tail I02 the rear end of which terminatesbetween a pair of spaced pins :04 (Fig. 4) fixed to the'upper side of ahorizontal bar I06. The bar is arranged to slide between guide block I08and H0 (Fig. 2) and has extending laterally from its under side a blockIIZ (Fig. 4). An arm l8-is fastened to the shaft 14 for oscillationtherewith and is so arranged with reference to the bar I06 that in oneposition of the bar I06 the block II 2 will intercept the movement ofthe arm I8 and hold the transfer member I6 in fixed vertical posi on thesupport in the ready position S2 to be moved into label-applyingposition SI the feeler 94 will be held deflected away from the trackagainst the normal tension of the spring II 4 so that its rear end drawsthe bar I06 toward the left as seen in Fig. 2. In this position theblock H2 is situated to the left of the arm I8 so that oscillation ofthe arm I0 which carries the transfer pad 82 takesplace withoutinterference. The cam I IE on the shaft I I8 turns constantly andeffects positive forward movement of the arm I0- to bring the transferpad into label-applying position. Normally the transfer pad is returnedto its inoperative position by the spring I22. If there isno article onthe track in readiness for movement to label-applying position thefeeler 94 is pulled inwardly to a position substantially parallel to thetrack by the operation of the spring 4 which at the same time pulls thetail I02 counterclockwise with respect to the pivot 98 and thus urgesthe bar I06 toward the right. Until the transfer pad 82 moves up tolabelapplying position the block II2 merely rests against thearcuate-surface I 24 of the arm I8 under the yielding pull created bythe spring II4. When the transfer member I0 moves to label-applyingposition, however, the arm I8 moves downwardly far enough to permit theblock II2 to slide by its upper end into the position shown in Fig. 1.Hence, when the transfer arm I0 starts to return to its inoperativeposition under the influence of the spring I22, the arm I8 will come incontact with the block I I2 and thearm I0 will be held substantiallyvertical as shown in Fig. l, midway between label-applying position andlabel transfer position. Until an article is present on the track atposition S2 in readiness for movement to label-applying position SI thetransfer pad 82 will remain at this midposition so the picker neverreaches it.

At the same time an end of the bar I 06 engages the latch 56, the lowerend of which is held between guide blocks I26 (Fig. 1) and holds the rod54 in a depressed position. This, as heretofore pointed out, breaks thestraight-line drive between the link 38 and shackle 40, therebyshortening the angle of rotation of the shaft 24 so that the picker willnot reach the labels in the label magazine I4. As a result the picker 26oscillates-between the transfer member and the label magazine withoutreaching either one, so that labels are not picked up by it, nor canadhesive be applied to the face of the transfer pad.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modificationsand equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

, I claim:

1. In a labeling machine a picker, means for oscillating the pickercontinuously through a path of predetermined length from alabelreceiving position at one extremity of its movement to a labeltransfer position at the other extremity of its movement, a labeltransfer element, means for effecting movement of said transfer elementto and from a label-applying position through said label transferposition in timed relation to the oscillation of said picker to take thelabel from the picker at said transfer position and carry it forward tothe label-applying position, a detector responsive to the presence orabsence of an article at a place for movement to label-applyingposition, and means controlled by. the detector in theabsence of anarticle at said detecting position to intercept the.

ment, means for effecting movement of said.

transfer element to and from the label-applying position through saidlabel transfer position, in

timed relation to the oscillation of said' picker totake the label fromthe picker'at said transfer position and" carry it forward tolabel-applying position, a detector responsive to the presence or'absence of an article at a place for movement to label-applyingposition, a holding arm associated with the transfer element and movabletherewith, and a stop movable from; an inop erative-position to aposition in the path of movement of the holding arm to intercept it andto holdsthe'transfer. element at a place intermediate the label-applyingposition and said transfer position, movement of said stop intooperative position being effected by the response of the detector to:theabsence ofanarticleat detectingv position.

3;. In a labeling. machine, a pickers: means for oscillating; the pickercontinuously through a path. of predetermined length from a; labelreceiving position atone extremity. of its movement' to a label transferposition at the other extremity of its." movement, a label transferelement, means for effecting movement of said transfer element to. and froma label-applying position throughsaid label transfer positionv in timedrelation to the oscillation ofsaid picker to, take the label from thepicker at said. transfer. position and carry it forward tolabel-applying position, a holding arm associatedwith the transferelement, a stop movable from an inoperative position to a position inthe pathv of movement of the holding arm to intercept the arm and holdthe transfer element at a place intermediate the label-applying andtransfer positions, and a detector operable in the absence of an:article at detecting position to shift the, stop from inoperative tooperative positions.

4. In a labeling machine, a picker, means for oscillating the pickercontinuously through a path of predetermined length from alabelreceiving position at one extremity of its move-- ment to a labeltransfer position at the other. extremity of its movement, a labeltransfer element, means for effecting movement of the transfer elementto and from a label-applying position through said label transferposition in timed relation to the oscillation of said picker to take thelabel from the picker at said transfer position and carry it forward tothelabel-applying position, and means for intercepting and holding thetransfer element in a position intermediate the label-applying positionand the transfer position in the absence of an article at a readyposition for movement to the label-applying, position, said meansincluding a stop movable into the path of a portion ofv the transfermember tointercept it and hold it in said intermediate position, adetector lever arranged with one end at said ready position for movementto. label-applyingposition and the other end; connected tosaidstop,.said lever being pivotedbetween its ends-.andimeans yieldablyurging the lever in adirection to move. the stop into operativeposition, said lever being held inoperative against: said:yieldablemeans by contact of the; lever with an article at said readyposition for movement to. label-applying position.

5..In a. labeling machine, a picker, means for oscillating the pickercontinuously through a path;

of predetermined. lengthfrom a label-receiving position. at onevextremity of. its movement to a label transfer position at. the othervextremity'of.

its movement, said means. including an articulated element-the parts ofwhich are normally held in straight line. position, a latch bar arrangednormally to oscillate with the articulated element said latch barbeingcperable to break the articulated element so as: to shorten theoscillation,

of the picker, alabeltransfer'element, meansfor. effecting movement ofsaid transfer element to and'from' a' label-applying position throughsaid label transfer; position. in timed relation to the oscillation: ofsaid picker to take a labelfrom the picker at: said transfer positionand carry it forward to. labeleapplying position, a detector responsive:to therpresence, or-absence of an article at aplace forrmovement tolabel-applyingposition, and; means controlled by the: detector intheabsencev of. an; article. concomitantly to interrupt and stopthetransfer element as it' moves away fromlabel-applying position at aplace intermediate thelabel-applying position and the transfer position;and to. intercept the latch barandhence toibreakthe articulated. elementon the return movement of the picker toward label-receiving position toprevent the: picker from reaching label-receiving position.

6; In a labeling machine, a picker, means for oscillating the pickercontinuously through a path of predetermined length from alabel-applying position at one extremity of its movement to a labeltransferipositionat the other extremity: of its movement, said meansincluding an articulated element the parts of which are normally held instraight line position, a latch bar arranged-normally to oscillate withthe articulated element said latch bar being operable to break saidelement so as to shorten the oscillation of the picker, a label transferelement, means for efiecting movement of said transfer. element to and:from labeleapplying' position through said label transfer position intimed relation with the oscillation of said picker to' take the labelfrom the picker. at-said transfer position and carry it forwardtolabel-applying position, a detector responsive to the presence orabsence of anarticle ata place for movement to label-applying position,and means controlledby the detector in the absence of an. article tointercept and stop the transfer element. as itmoves away fromlabelapplying position at a place intermediate the label-applyingposition and the transfer position and concomitantly to intercept thelatch bar and hence to shorten the path of return movement of, thepicker toward label-receiving position so that thepicker does not reachthe labels.

7. In a labeling machine a transfer element movable through apredetermined path from an inoperative position to a label-applyingposition, means for effecting movement of the. transfer element alongsaid path, a picker, means for efiecting movement of the picker with alabel adhered thereto to'a point of label transfer in saidpath. ofmovement of said transfer: element in timed relation so as to precedethe arrival of the transfer element at that point, means carried by thetransfer element for removing the label from the picker at said point oftransfer before said element moves toward said label-applying position,and means for bringing the transfer element to rest during its returnmovement between its label-applying position and said point of transfer,in the absence of an article to succeed the article from which thetransfer element is receding.

8. In a labeling machine a transfer element movable through apredetermined path from an inoperative position to a label-applyingposition, means for effecting movement of the transfer element alongsaid path, a picker, means for effecting movement of the picker with alabel adhered thereto to a point of label transfer in said path ofmovement of said transfer element ahead of said transfer element, meanscarried by the transfer element for removing the label from the pickerat said point of transfer before said element moves toward saidlabel-applying position, a detector responsive to the presence orabsence of an article for movement to labelapplying position and meanscontrolled by the detector in the absence of an article at saiddctecting position to bring the transfer element to rest during itsreturn movement between the label-applying position and the point oflabel transfer from the picker to the transfer element.

9. In a labeling machine, a picker, means for oscillating the pickercontinuously through a path of predetermined length from alabel-applying position at one extremity of its movement to a labeltransfer position at the other extremity of i s mcvem nt, said m ns cl dg r i u e 10 elements the parts of which are normally yieldably held ina straight line position, a latch bar arranged normally to oscillatewith one of the articulated elements said latch bar being operable tobreak said element so as to shorten the osci1la tion of the picker inone direction of its movement, a label transfer element, means foreffecting movement of said transfer element to and from label-applyingposition through said label transfer position in timed relation with theoscillation of said picker to take the label from the picker at saidtransfer position and carry it for- Ward to label-applying position, adetector responsive to the presence or absence of an article at a placefor movement to label-applying position, and means controlled by thedetector in the absence of an article to intercept and stop the transferelement as it moves away from the labelapplying position at a placeintermediate the label-applying position and the transfer position andconcomitantly to intercept the latch bar and hence to shorten the pathof return movement of the picker toward label-receiving position so thatthe picker does not reach the labels, said other articulated memberbeing adapted to break upon interposition of an immovable object in thepath of the picker during movement thereof toward transfer position.

SIDNEY T. CARTER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Ca ter yawn-Pg J n,24,949

Number

